Battle of Bosra (1147) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Bosra |
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| Part of the Crusades | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of Jerusalem |
Damascus Mosul and Aleppo |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Baldwin III of Jerusalem | Mu'in ad-Din Unur Nur ad-Din Zangi |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Light | Light | ||||||
The Battle of Bosra was a long fight in the spring of 1147. It happened during the Second Crusade. The battle was between a Christian Crusader army and Turkish forces. King Baldwin III of Jerusalem led the Crusaders. Mu'in ad-Din Unur led the Turkish forces from Damascus. He also had help from Nur ad-Din's soldiers from Mosul and Aleppo.
The ruler (emir) of Bosra and Salkhad was upset with his boss in Damascus. So, he asked the Crusaders to take over his two cities. But before the Crusaders could get to Bosra, the emir's wife let soldiers from Damascus into the city. The Crusaders couldn't take Bosra. They had to march back through enemy lands. The Turkish soldiers kept attacking them along the way. But they could not defeat the Crusaders.
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Why Did the Battle of Bosra Happen?
In the spring of 1147, Altuntash, the ruler of Bosra and Salkhad, had a disagreement. He was upset with his leader, Mu'in ad-Din Unur, who ruled Damascus. Because of this, Altuntash made a deal with the Crusaders. He agreed to give them his two cities.
These cities were about 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Damascus. They were also about 15 miles (24 km) apart. Taking Bosra and Salkhad meant breaking a peace treaty with Damascus. It also meant fighting the Damascus army and Nur ad-Din. Even so, King Baldwin III of Jerusalem led his army towards Bosra.
What Happened During the Running Battle?
Soon after the Crusaders started their march, the Damascus army appeared. They were ready to stop the Crusaders. Many Crusader soldiers wanted to fight right away. But the leaders decided to be careful. They set up extra guards to watch for surprise attacks. The Crusader army then made camp for the night.
The next day, Baldwin and his officers held a meeting. They decided to keep going to Bosra. They would march and fight at the same time. The Crusader army moved in a special way. This was common when fighting Turkish horse archers. They prepared for attacks from the front, sides, and back.
How Did the Crusaders March?
The Crusader foot soldiers marched very close together. Foot archers were ready to shoot back at the Turkish horse archers. Spearmen were ready to stop any direct attacks. To keep the army together, the horse riders moved at the same speed as the foot soldiers.
For four days, the Crusaders marched towards Bosra. They were constantly attacked by arrows. They also faced small attacks from the Turks. The soldiers were very thirsty in the hot summer weather. When they finally reached Bosra, they found water and supplies.
Why Couldn't the Crusaders Take Bosra?
The Crusaders' hopes were crushed when they arrived. Altuntash's wife was much stronger than her husband. She had already let soldiers from Damascus into Bosra's castle. King Baldwin did not want to start a siege (a long attack to capture a city) so close to the enemy army. So, he decided to turn back.
The march back from Bosra was even harder. The Franks suffered from the heat, dust, and constant attacks from the Turks. One day, the Turkish soldiers set fire to the dry bushes. The fire was upwind, so the smoke blew towards the Franks, making their march even worse.
The Crusaders carried their dead and wounded soldiers with them. They did not want the enemy to see their losses and feel stronger. No soldier was allowed to leave their place in the lines. If they did, they faced serious punishment. However, a knight could leave the ranks to save another Christian from being killed by a Muslim.
The Final Attacks
As the Franks got closer to their own lands, the Turkish soldiers attacked even harder. They focused on the Crusader rearguard (the soldiers at the back). They tried to separate them from the main army. At a very dangerous moment, a Turkish soldier fighting with the Crusaders rode out. He did not have permission, but he killed an enemy in a one-on-one fight.
This act surprised the Damascus soldiers. It also made the Franks feel stronger. So, the soldier was excused for breaking the rules. In the end, the Turkish soldiers could not stop the Crusader army. The Crusaders crossed the Jordan River safely and returned to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The running battle lasted for twelve days.
What Happened After the Battle?
King Baldwin's plan to capture Bosra and Salkhad failed. Mu'in ad-Din Unur took control of both cities soon after. The Battle of Bosra is important for two reasons. It shows that Crusader leaders were often careful and smart. This is different from the common idea that they were always reckless. It also shows that a well-led Crusader army could march through enemy territory. They could do this if they kept their discipline and fighting power strong.
The Second Crusade continued after this battle. Other important events for the Crusaders included the Second Battle of Dorylaeum in late 1147. Then came the Siege of Damascus in 1148. Finally, there was the Battle of Inab in 1149.
